The license cost is determined by a variety of factors including the licensee’s implementation plan, overall reach and organisation size.

Are there any ongoing license costs or commissions after becoming a licensed partner?

All licenses are valid for three years. Once the license has expired, a new license must be entered into and license fee paid to continue using the FRIENDS Programs. Not-for-profit organisations do not have any additional costs. Organisations who intend to generate a profit from using the Programs will have to pay royalties.

How is training delivered?

All training is delivered online via GoToMeeting in an interactive format. Training materials do not need to be purchased, training attendees are provided with PowerPoint slides.

What is the benefit of our organisation becoming a licensed partner?

Once an organisation becomes a licensed partner and the selected employees have undertaken Train the Trainer training, such employees are able to train as many other staff as necessary to become Facilitators. Facilitator training can be undertaken in-house and at no extra cost to the organisation.

How can we reach our funding goal to proceed with the FRIENDS programs?

Approach and request grants from humanitarian and not-for-profit organisations such as Rotary using the FRIENDS Proposal/Info Summary booklet.

Our Programs

The FRIENDS Programs are a suite of evidence-based, social and emotional skills programs designed to build life-long resilience in individuals, families, and communities. The FRIENDS Programs are endorsed by the World Health Organisation as best practice for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression.

Why the FRIENDS Programs?

One in five children and teenagers have an anxiety disorder. This may lead to inhibited personal development, academic underachievement, social isolation, and depression. The FRIENDS programs were developed to empower those undertaking the program with the skills necessary to not only manage and prevent anxiety but become engaged and thriving individuals.

In addition to being endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the FRIENDS Programs are proven to be effective in promoting social and emotional skills cross-culturally. The skill sets learned through FRIENDS are intended for long term use, and with occasional refreshers can be maintained for many years following the completion of the program.

Anxiety disorders are present within 20% of children and teenagers and may lead to inhibited personal development, social isolation, academic underachievement and depression. This highlights the importance of using preventative mechanisms such as FRIENDS to equip individuals with the social and emotional skills necessary to manage and prevent anxiety.

What are social emotional skills?

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) outlined five core competencies of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs:

Self-awareness – knowing what we are feeling in the moment.Social awareness – understanding what others are feeling.Self-management – handling our emotions thoughts and behaviours in effective ways.Relationship Skills – establishing and maintaining healthy and rewarding relationships based on cooperation, resistance to inappropriate social pressure, negotiating solutions to conflict and seeking help when needed.Responsible Decision Making – making decisions based on an accurate consideration of all relevant factors and the likely consequences of alternative courses of action.